Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 1
Yayāti’s Renunciation: The Allegory of the He-Goat and She-Goat
श्रीशुक उवाच स इत्थमाचरन् कामान् स्त्रैणोऽपह्नवमात्मन: । बुद्ध्वा प्रियायै निर्विण्णो गाथामेतामगायत ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca sa ittham ācaran kāmān straiṇo ’pahnavam ātmanaḥ buddhvā priyāyai nirviṇṇo gāthām etām agāyata
Śrī Śukadeva nói: Hỡi Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Yayāti rất đắm nhiễm nữ sắc; nhưng theo thời gian, khi chán ghét dục lạc và thấy rõ tai hại của nó, ông từ bỏ lối sống ấy và ngâm lên bài ca này cho người vợ yêu dấu.
FAQs
This verse states that indulgence in kāma—especially obsessive attachment to women—can make one cheat oneself, but realization can awaken detachment and remorse.
He highlights the turning point where a person recognizes the emptiness of sense indulgence and becomes inwardly disillusioned, opening the door to purification and dharmic resolve.
Notice how cravings can rationalize harmful choices; cultivate honest self-reflection and redirect desire toward higher purpose—through discipline, prayer, and devotion.